FEAR OF FALLING INTO TEMPTATION AS AN EXCUSE FOR NEGLECTING ENJOINING RIGHT

Enjoining right and forbidding wrong, and fighting in the path of Allah (Jihad) contain severe tests and trials in which one is exposed to the risk of succumbing to various kinds of temptation. For this reason, a group appears among the people who cite their fear of these temptations as their excuse for avoiding that which has been made obligatory upon them claiming that they only seek safety from these temptations. Just as Allah said about the hypocrites: Read the rest of this entry »

THE CHARACTER NEEDED BY THE BELIEVER

These traits and these works are needed by the believer in general, and especially in times of chaos, strife, and extreme trials. They are in need of thorough reforming of their selves, in spite of the presence of that within them which calls to chaos and corruption. And they also need to fulfill their obligations in terms of enjoining others what is right and forbidding them what is wrong to the extent of their ability. Both of these obligations contain great difficulties as we have seen, though are easy for those for whom Allah has made them easy. Read the rest of this entry »

FERVOR AND COURAGE WHICH IS PRAISEWORTHY

The criterion here is that the only fervor or courage which is praiseworthy is that which has been praised by Allah and His Prophet (sas). Allah is the one whose praise is beauty and whose censure is dishonor, and this is to no one other than Allah, neither poet, nor orator, nor anyone else. Thus, when an Arab from the tribe of Bani Tameem said to the Prophet (sas) “My praise is beautification, and my censure is disgrace”, the Prophet said to him: “That is Allah!”.

Allah has praised courage and forbearance in His path, as in the sahih, narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash’ariy (may Allah be pleased with him):

It was said to the Prophet: A man may fight out of courage, and he may fight out of fervor and excitement, and he may fight to be seen by others, so which of those are (truly) in the path of Allah? The Prophet said: Whoever fights so that the word of Allah may be uppermost is in the path of Allah.”

Just as Allah said:

[And fight them until there is no more chaos and discord, and all religion is solely for Allah] Qur’an 8/39

This, in fact, is the purpose for which Allah has created mankind, as He said:

[And I have not created the jinn and humankind except that they may worship Me.] Qur’an 51/56

Thus any act which is in pursuit of the overall goal for which the entire creation has been created is praiseworthy in the sight of Allah; and it is that which has some remaining benefit for its doer, and Allah will benefit him because of it. These then are the righteous deeds (Al-a’maal As-Saalihaat) referred to in the Qur’an. In this regard, people can be divided into four categories:

1) Those who strive and work for the sake of Allah with courage and forbearance. These are the believers who deserve the reward of paradise.

2) Those who strive and work for other than Allah with courage and forbearance. These benefit from their efforts in this life, and there is nothing of that for them in the hereafter.

3) Those who work for Allah, but without courage and without forbearance. These have an element of hypocrisy (nifaaq) and lack of faith (imaan) to the degree of their cowardice and discontent.

4) Those who do not work for Allah, and who have no courage and no forbearance. These have no share neither in this world nor in the hereafter.

THE FORBIDDANCE OF TRANSGRESSING THE BOUNDS

Since shaitan is calling people, during these two types of situations, to transgress the bounds established by Islam with their hearts, voices, and hands, the Prophet (sas) has interdicted that as in the following hadith: Read the rest of this entry »

A RETURN TO PATIENCE AND ITS TYPES

As we have said, the key to true strength is patience, it is a necessary element. Patience is of two types: patience when angry, and patience when afflicted with calamity. Al-Hassan (i.e. Al-Basry) said:

“No slave of Allah has struck a more effective blow than wisdom and forbearance in anger and patience in the face of calamity.” Read the rest of this entry »

WHAT IS COURAGE?

Courage is not strength of the body. A man may be strong physically, but weak in heart. Rather, courage is the strength of the heart and its steadfastness. The critical factors in warfare are physical strength, skill in warfare, and the courage and steadfastness of the hearts of the fighters. Read the rest of this entry »

HUMAN AFFAIRS WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT EXCEPT WITH COURAGE AND GENEROSITY

Since reform of human affairs in this world and the next will not be perfected except with the presence of courage and generosity, Allah has explained to us that anyone who turns his back on courage - by failing to struggle in the path of Allah - will be replaced by others who will fulfill their duties. And whoever turns away from the spending of their property in the path of Allah, will be replaced by others who will fulfill their duties. Allah said: Read the rest of this entry »

CRITICISM OF COWARDICE

In the Qur’an, Allah’s criticism of cowardice is also found in very many verses, such as in the following:

[And anyone who gives them (i.e. the enemy in war) his back on that day (of battle) except as a stratagem of warfare, or to regroup with other fighters, has come back with a great anger from Allah, and his dwelling place is hell, and what an evil place to end up.] Qur’an 8/16 Read the rest of this entry »

TYPES OF MISERLINESS

Miserliness is a general category within which are various types - some are major sins, and some are not major sins. Allah said:

[Let not those who were miserly with what Allah gave them of His bounty imagine that it is good for them, rather it is very bad for them. They will be emburdened with all that they were miserly with on the day of Qiyama.] Qur’an 3/180 Read the rest of this entry »

CRITICISM OF MISERLINESS AND COWARDICE

For this reason, miserliness and cowardice are frequently criticized in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and courage and forbearance in the path of Allah are praised - in the path of Allah specifically as opposed to that which is not in the path of Allah. The Prophet (sas) said:

“The most evil things which can be found in a person are greedy desire which influences all of his actions, and cowardice which makes him flee.” Read the rest of this entry »